City respect Jesus and Zinchenko, says Guardiola ahead of FA Cup meeting with Arsenal

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By Martin Graham | 29th Jan 2023

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has praised his former charges Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko ahead of his side’s meeting with their new club Arsenal in the FA Cup on Friday.

Both teams were drawn against each other in the fourth round of the FA Cup and they will clash at the Etihad stadium on Friday. It will be the first of three matches between both teams between then and the end of February.

Two of those games will come in the Premier League, so the FA Cup meeting will be a preview to those clashes.

It is a very important clash for both teams, who have only five points between them at the top of the Premier League. Arsenal, led by Mikel Arteta, will be feeling the pressure more as a loss to City in the FA Cup will not only take them out of the competition, but could set the tone for a poor February.

Guardiola, however, believes his former protégé is doing well with the team, and especially praised his former charges Jesus and Zinchenko for their amazing seasons at Arsenal.

Asked if he regrets letting them join Arsenal, he replied, “Why? Because they are winning?

“They have been amazing for us, we have incredible respect for them as people first and as footballers.

“Of course we want to beat them, but all the success they’ve had, I’m more than delighted. Both clubs agreed and that’s all.”

The game against City could see Arteta give new signings Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior their full debuts, even though it is unlikely.

Former Gunner Emmanuel Petit has come out to ask Arsenal fans to lower their expectations of both players for the rest of the season, stating that they will take some time to hit the ground running if they eventually do..

“It’s going to be a different challenge playing for Arsenal compared to Brighton,” Petit told Sporting Post.

“Brighton are used to playing very good football and he was doing a great job until he was left out of the team.

“Watching him when he came on to the pitch, it’s not easy when you come into a team mid season like this, especially a team that’s working so well.

“It can be difficult because it’s going to take time to settle, to get into the dressing room and to understand exactly what Arteta is asking.

“He just needs time and patience because he has qualities but he needs time to show those qualities. I had the feeling that it would be difficult for him for the first few games, it’s impossible to judge him now.”

Also discussing Kiwior’s move to the Premier League leaders, Petit added: “He can play either midfield or defence.

“He is energetic and has good technique and he is very aggressive on the ball. It’s difficult to get past him and he always wins the ball.

“But I’m not sure if he can yet play as a holding midfielder in the Premier League because he’s young and still has to improve.

“Trossard is more mature and has more experience whereas Kiwior is young and he will need time. But he is young like the rest of the team which I think is important.”